Prizren, 17 June 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony for 450 students of the Class of 2025 at “Ukshin Hoti” University in Prizren.
Out of 23 study programs across six faculties, with over 4,000 active students in total, 450 are graduating today. “I know the feeling of completing a great endeavor—especially graduation, which paves the road of life unlike any other process or project. Whether this is your first or last diploma, a dignified future lies ahead of you. Lectures, exams, and every aspect of university life are the foundational stones—intellectual and social stones you have laid and built upon here, and wherever you go next,” Prime Minister Kurti told students and faculty.
He commended the students for the wide range of activities at their university —from the recent careers and job fair to the promotion of new publications—and highlighted the students’ production of Molière’s classic Tartuffe just ten days ago. He noted that in today’s academic circles it is clear that knowledge and advancement are best achieved in an interdisciplinary manner, where science and art beautifully complement each other.
“Be proud of your university’s name and cherish your diploma from this institution. Congratulations to you all! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the invitation, your hospitality, and your attention,” concluded the Prime Minister.
Full Speech by Prime Minister Kurti
Honorable Professor Mentor Alishani, Rector of Ukshin Hoti University,
Honorable Mr. Taulant Kelmendi, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Honorable Mr. Smajl Latifi, Mayor of Rahovec Municipality,
Honored family of Professor Ukshin Hoti,
Dear Andin and Brisilda,
Honorable members of the University Governing Council,
Honorable professors and dear students,
Honorable Mr. Celal Doğan, Consul of Turkey in Prizren,
Honorable invalids and veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army,
Dear families of the nation’s martyrs,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
Whenever we gather in places of learning and thought, creation and teaching, the same emotions arise—energy for life and hope for the future—but each time amplified. These were the feelings we shared last week in Peja, where, with equal enthusiasm, we celebrated the graduates of “Haxhi Zeka” University. Today, we mark the completion of studies for the Class of 2025 here at your university—named after
Ukshin Hoti—located in the radiant city of Prizren.
From 23 study programs across six faculties, with over 4,000 active students, 450 graduates receive their diplomas today. I know the pride of finishing a monumental task—especially graduation, which uniquely sets the course of one’s life. Whether this is your first or final degree, a dignified future awaits you. Lectures, exams, and every facet of university life are the intellectual and social foundation stones you have laid and built upon here, and wherever you go next. Although we may begin with congratulations and end with best wishes, some features of your journey merit special mention.
That you, the graduating students, are the future of our country is already known. You are tomorrow’s scientists, educators, managers, engineers, lawyers, and politicians. Properly shaping your preparation as future professionals and decision makers requires careful, mature policies. This has been the path of the Government of Kosovo and the Ministry of Education since taking office—with a clear vision and unwavering commitment.
In just this mandate, we have invested over €637,000 in the “Ukshin Hoti” University campus—nothing like this had been done since the 1970s. We undertook these works for the benefit of all students, including minorities—bearing in mind that here instruction is offered in five languages besides Albanian: Bosnian, English, Turkish, and German—and for students with special needs, for whom, for example, an elevator was installed for the first time. We have made similar investments in public universities in Gjilan, Ferizaj, Peja, Gjakova, and
Mitrovica—totaling over €11 million in buildings, laboratory equipment, and furnishings. And today I am pleased to share another piece of good news: the disbursement of €500 scholarships to 201 students here.
Our joint work continues, because needs constantly evolve, and we all adapt wisely— as institutions, as a society, as a state, and as a nation.
Support for “Ukshin Hoti” University is fully deserved. Among many achievements, your university’s varied activities—from the job and career fair to the launch of new publications, and most recently your Faculty of Philology’s performance of Molière’s Tartuffe—are truly praiseworthy. Such a broad range of disciplinary engagement is impressive and sets an example for other universities. In today’s academic environment, it is clear that knowledge and advancement flourish most through interdisciplinary manner, where science and art beautifully complement one another.
Distinguished guests,
It has become a tradition to dedicate 17 June to the thinker, politician, philosopher, and patriot Ukshin Hoti. I came here to the university campus that is named after him; I came from Krusha e Madhe, the birthplace of Ukshin Hoti, from the Memorial House of Uncle Ukë, dedicated to him.
In each of our lives, there are individuals whose impact is profound—and the same holds true for the life of a nation or a state. Ukshin Hoti’s place in Kosovo’s history is permanently engraved. Each year, as we remember and reflect on this date, we come to understand more deeply the weight and value of Ukshin Hoti’s legacy. His physical absence turns into a source of encouragement and driving force for us as we carry forward his intellectual and patriotic vision for Kosovo. This is part of the noble duty of your entire academic community—and from this day forward, of you dear graduates.
Be proud of your university’s name, and celebrate your diploma from this institution.
I wish you all success! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your invitation, your hospitality, and your attention!
